Chapter 30 Portland

On the 30th, Portland.

As the team that could burn the most money in the entire league during this period...

No exaggeration, even James Dolan, who would later be responsible for providing "activity funds" for the league...

In front of Paul Allen, he could only acknowledge him as his big brother.

This season, if you opened the salary statistics of each team in the league, you would find that the Blazers' total salary was so dazzling.

You know, the NBA salary cap at this time was just a little over 40 million...

But the Blazers' total salary was as high as 70 million+ US dollars.

Look, what is called being豪气冲天 (háo qì chōng tiān - extraordinarily bold), what is called 平亿近人 (píng yì jìn rén - approachable despite immense wealth)?

To quote ESPN's original words:

This Blazers' total salary could almost support two Raptors teams.

Of course, compared to the Knicks of the future, who are "rich and foolish"...

Although the current Blazers have the highest total salary in the league, in terms of this season's record, they are indeed a top-tier team in the West, second only to the Lakers.

And the only difference between this Blazers team and the Blazers team in Su Feng's memory might be that this Blazers team is, in a sense, stronger than the Blazers team of the same period in his memory.

Because in the summer, some accidents occurred during the team's attempt to sell Rider, which caused the Hawks, who originally planned to trade their core guard Steve Smith to the Blazers, to doubt Rider's character...

So, after some difficult negotiations by Mike Dunleavy, the Blazers finally had to trade Brian Grant and Greg Anthony for Smith.

And in this way, putting aside the team's unstable factors, Su Feng felt that the Blazers' lineup structure was more complete.

Because although Grant was a capable stretch-four power forward, in the Blazers' team, there was another player of the same type called...

Rasheed Wallace.

In Su Feng's previous life, nobody knew how many players with overlapping roles the Blazers had stockpiled on the inside during this period.

Therefore, Mike Dunleavy simply didn't know that of the two deals he made this summer, one that he thought was a huge profit was actually a loss, and the other that he thought was a huge loss was actually a gain.

And perhaps...

This was so-called fate.

Rose Garden Arena.

After the players from both teams finished warming up, the big screen showed the starting lineups for both teams tonight.

Raptors: Ben Wallace, Jermaine O'Neal, Su Feng, Carter, McGrady.

Blazers: Sabonis, Wallace, Pippen, Smith, Stoudamire.

Judging from the lineup, this Blazers team was indeed incredibly luxurious.

Because in addition to the starting five, their bench also included strong players such as Schrempf, Rider, and Bonzi Wells.

In addition, there were also Williams and Bryant, the two "Hack-a-Shaq" tools that the Raptors had sent to the Blazers in the summer.

In short, compared to the next few years...

Paul Allen at this time was still relatively lucky.

Because at this time, his money was spent, and at least he could hear a sound.

But after a few more years...

Paul Allen could only get one bad news after another from the team doctor and the court.

"Wow, today's game is interesting.

If I remember correctly, after the 97/98 season, Stoudamire wanted to leave the Raptors at that time...

He cried, made a fuss, and threatened to hang himself, finally forcing the Raptors to send him to Portland.

But who would have thought that, good heavens, the Raptors would become the champions the following year," Zhang指导 (Zhāng Zhǐdǎo - Director Zhang) couldn't help but complain when making a pre-match preview on the Great Celestial Dynasty TV station.

"So this is what we often say about fate making fools of people.

Perhaps Stoudamire himself didn't expect that after he left, the Raptors would become the most popular team in the entire NBA in the second year," Sun指导 (Sūn Zhǐdǎo - Director Sun) echoed.

"That's the idea, but Stoudamire himself must be unconvinced.

After all, you became champions as soon as I left, wouldn't that be saying that my choice and judgment at the time were problematic?" Zhang指导 (Zhāng Zhǐdǎo - Director Zhang) said with a smile.

"But then again, the Blazers and the Raptors are indeed two teams with a lot of history.

Because Jermaine O'Neal, who is currently playing for the Raptors, was traded back by the Raptors in a deal this summer," Sun指导 (Sūn Zhǐdǎo - Director Sun) said.

"That's why I said this game is interesting, because whether it's Jermaine O'Neal or Stoudamire, they must want to prove themselves through this game," Zhang指导 (Zhāng Zhǐdǎo - Director Zhang) said.

Listen to what is called the most professional commentary?

To be honest, it was a pity that Su Feng couldn't hear the commentary from the Great Celestial Dynasty TV station, otherwise he would definitely call Zhang指导 (Zhāng Zhǐdǎo - Director Zhang) an expert.

Because in this game, as early as during the pre-match warm-up, Su Feng felt Stoudamire's high fighting spirit from the other half of the court.

It's just a pity...

Basketball games, sometimes just having fighting spirit is useless.

On the court, after Sabonis jumped for the Blazers' first attack, facing McGrady, who was several sizes larger than him, Stoudamire quickly felt the world's full malice towards him.

Because back then, when McGrady first entered the league...

In the Raptors team, McGrady was responsible for carrying Stoudamire's bags.

However, times have changed.

The current McGrady is completely different from what he used to be.

High post, Stoudamire, who was completely covered by McGrady, almost made a mistake.

Because he knew that Stoudamire's finishing rate under the basket was not high, McGrady directly adopted a close-marking strategy against him tonight.

Anyway, it doesn't matter if this "Mighty Mouse" gets past him.

Because after this guy breaks through, he is likely to either hit the backboard or pass the buck.

On the court, after fighting wits with McGrady for a while, Stoudamire passed the ball to Pippen on the wing as expected.

Have to say...

Although Pippen has left the Bulls, as an excellent scapegoat, he obviously hasn't forgotten his job.

Of course, joking aside, on the court, Su Feng didn't have the slightest thought of underestimating Pippen when facing him.

Because in this life, due to accepting the "Old Rogue's" suggestion in the 97/98 season, Pippen, who is not bound by foot injuries, is not the salary burden of Su Feng's original space-time.

This season, Pippen, who can average 18.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game, is definitely worth his high annual salary of 7.5 million, whether from data or court performance.

It's just...

After Pippen proved time and time again that he could still play, the pressure on the Bulls management was greatly increased...

Because Klaus and Reinsdorf couldn't have imagined that Jordan and Pippen could join forces to slap the Bulls in the face even if they left the Bulls?

On the court, in this attack, Pippen showed his experienced side.

Facing Su Feng's defense, Pippen first made a feint backward, then turned directly in the opposite direction, completing a difficult fadeaway jumper.

Swish!

0 to 2.

It is worth mentioning that after scoring the goal, perhaps out of jealousy for Su Feng's various "shows of affection" with Jordan last season...

It may also be because of the resentment that Su Feng is currently called the first small forward in the league. In short, Pippen was so excited by this goal that he almost smashed his chest.

"So you are the NBA's current first small forward?

That's a big joke!"

As we all know, the English language is profound and broad, so after translating it into Chinese, Pippen wanted to express roughly this meaning to Su Feng while retreating.

However, just when Pippen thought his words would stab Su Feng's heart...

He noticed that Su Feng's expression was not only not angry at all, but even...

He actually showed himself a "kind" smile!

At this moment, Pippen felt that Su Feng's mind must be short-circuiting.

Because for Pippen, who knew Su Feng's meticulous character...

This rational Su Feng was not Su Feng at all.

Alright...

Maybe if it were the Su Feng of the past, he would have returned trash talk after being messed with by Pippen.

But for Su Feng, who has long since abandoned this low-level taste of trash talk, at this moment, he just wants to say to Pippen:

Scottie, I didn't expect that after so many years, you are still the Scottie you were back then.

On the court, the Raptors attacked. According to the pre-match tactics, McGrady handed the ball to Jermaine O'Neal after crossing half-court, and this silly, iron-blooded bubble dragon organized the offense.

Tonight, in order to help Jermaine O'Neal build confidence, Davis also formulated a reasonable set of下水道 (xià shuǐ dào - literally "sewer", meaning "low-post") tactics for him.

Because he has a certain long-range shooting ability, O'Neal, who holds the ball at the high post, can easily pull out the Blazers' inside line.

On the court, as Su Feng's ghostly figure suddenly started, Pippen felt his youth return in an instant.

Look, what a nostalgic chase battle!

On the court, chasing Su Feng who was repeatedly jumping...

Pippen couldn't wait to give Su Feng an elbow.

Because Pippen never expected that after four years, the boy who almost broke his legs back then had not changed a bit...

Perhaps, this is the so-called not forgetting the original intention!

Dong!

In the restricted area, after using a reverse run to bypass Pippen, Su Feng, who received Jermaine O'Neal's lob pass, did not give Sabonis a chance to help defend.

Before this "Roof of the World" could return to defense, Su Feng directly used a dashing floater to score the ball.

2 to 2.

"Wow, today's Raptors are interesting, they are actually having Jermaine O'Neal go to the high post to make plays," Zhang指导 (Zhāng Zhǐdǎo - Director Zhang) said with a smile on CCTV.

"This also indirectly proves Su Feng's all-around ability.

Because he can not only play with the ball, but also play without the ball, especially his off-ball movement, it's the same no matter who passes the ball," Sun指导 (Sūn Zhǐdǎo - Director Sun) said aside.

Zhang指导 (Zhāng Zhǐdǎo - Director Zhang): "......"

To be honest, Zhang指导 (Zhāng Zhǐdǎo - Director Zhang) never expected that Sun指导 (Sūn Zhǐdǎo - Director Sun) could also praise Su Feng in this way.

And what made Zhang指导 (Zhāng Zhǐdǎo - Director Zhang) feel the most terrifying was...

After thinking about it carefully, you couldn't pick out the fault in what Sun指导 (Sūn Zhǐdǎo - Director Sun) just said for a while.

Because from the slow-motion replay, Su Feng's reverse run just now was indeed textbook-worthy.

On the court, Blazers coach Dunleavy was a little dissatisfied with Su Feng being able to score so easily.

This season, the Blazers' average points allowed is only 91.5 points, which is one of the best defensive teams in the league. Therefore, in Dunleavy's view, even if Su Feng wants to score, he must make him peel off a layer of skin.

It's just...

Dissatisfaction is dissatisfaction, but because the player responsible for defending Su Feng just now was Pippen, Dunleavy had to hold back even if he had more dissatisfaction.

After all, as one of the thighs of this Blazers team, he, Pippen, is no longer the hardworking and resentful iron憨憨 (hān hān - silly and honest) of the past.

On the court, it was the Blazers' turn to attack.

Similar to most traditional teams during this period, pressing the offensive rhythm and playing in the half-court was the Blazers' main way of scoring.

In this attack, Stoudamire handed the ball to Wallace, wanting Wallace to educate Jermaine O'Neal, the former Blazers' water fountain manager.

As a result, Stoudamire dared to pass the ball, and Wallace was immediately double-teamed by the Raptors.

Helpless, Wallace had to choose to pass the ball out.

And although Smith made a mid-range shot on the wing without anyone guarding him, the Raptors' players didn't seem to take it to heart.

On the other hand, the Raptors attacked. This time, Jermaine O'Neal actively moved to the high post to set a screen for McGrady.

Because Jermaine O'Neal's screen was very good and his pick-and-roll was quite beautiful, Wallace had no choice but to wipe Stoudamire's butt.

On the court, after receiving McGrady's pass, Jermaine O'Neal didn't hesitate and directly jumped and shot at the high post.

4 to 4.

Turning around, the Blazers played in the half-court. This time, Pippen failed to open Su Feng.

And after Pippen's contested shot went wide...

In the Raptors' restricted area, Ben Wallace and Carter boxed out together, helping Jermaine O'Neal easily pick up the rebound.

At this moment, a surprising scene appeared on the court for the fans in the Rose Garden Arena...

Because on the Raptors' side, after picking up the rebound, Jermaine O'Neal dribbled the ball through half-court himself!

And the most amazing thing was that, facing Stoudamire's pounce, Jermaine O'Neal actually used a behind-the-back dribble to leave him behind.

"Hoo hoo, a fast break from Jermaine!

This is the Raptors, you can never use common sense to judge how their next attack will be launched!"

On TNT, Smith exclaimed as he saw this scene.

On the court, after scoring 4 points in a row, looking back at these teammates who trusted him so much...

Jermaine O'Neal felt that he had never been so powerful as tonight.

If he continued to stay with the Blazers, Jermaine O'Neal knew that even if he played five hundred more games, he would not be able to make an attack like this one.

But with the Raptors, he could not only play however he wanted, but even if he didn't play unrestrainedly enough, he would be despised by his teammates...

Especially tonight, when he learned before the game that coach Davis had tailored a set of tactics for him, Jermaine O'Neal even had the impulse to die for a confidant.

"Relax, tonight you are our protagonist!"

In addition, before the start of this game, can you believe that Su Feng, the boss of this team, the number one perimeter player in the NBA, was actually willing to be a supporting role for himself?

To be honest, even "Old Rogue" hasn't received such a divine treatment a few times.

Therefore, in Jermaine O'Neal's view, if he can't put on a convincing performance in this game, then he can really announce his retirement directly.

So, after looking up at the arena where he had spent three years...

Jermaine O'Neal, whose mouth was slightly raised, raised his hand and clenched his fist, letting out a roar that resounded through the dome!

Listen carefully, people of Rose City!

At this moment, standing in front of you is:

No. 7 of the defending champion Toronto Raptors...

Jermaine O'Neal!

……

ps: At this moment, standing in front of all the readers is:

The cuckoo knight who is begging for monthly tickets and subscriptions!